County To Buy Park Land By Downriver Golf Course

FROM FOR THE RECORD (Saturday, June 29, 1996): Spokane County Commissioner Steve Hasson abstained from voting when commissioners decided to buy 2.3 acres to add to parks near Downriver Golf Course. A story in Wednesday’s newspaper indicated otherwise.

It looks like a park and is used like a park.

Now it really is a park.

Spokane County commissioners on Tuesday approved the $250,000 purchase of 2.3 acres adjacent to Downriver Golf Course.

The property, with views of the Spokane River and Riverside State Park, was previously developed as Riverpark Convalescent Home, 4401 W. Downriver Drive.

The nursing home burned in 1991, leaving the property vacant. It is surrounded by city park land.

Dr. Hrair Garabedian, a Spokane cardiologist, bought the land in September and announced plans to develop condominiums. Instead, he negotiated to sell it to the city.

“It’s an absolutely fantastic piece of property,” said Commissioner John Roskelley, adding that the land is popular with walkers.

Money for the purchase comes from the “conservation futures” tax, a pool of money used to buy and preserve land. The tax is paid by county landowners.

Commissioner Steve Hasson voted against the purchase because the county, which controls even those conservation taxes paid by city residents, will hand over the land to the city parks department.

Wyn Birkenthal, county parks manager, said it would be too costly for the county to maintain the land because it has no other parks nearby.

Commissioner Phil Harris also had qualms about buying land inside the city. He voted in favor of the purchase after being assured that the city cannot use the land for anything other than a park.

“Commissioner Harris, I thank you and I think the citizens of this community will thank you,” said a relieved Roskelley.

, DataTimes